Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical value of human serum Kallikrein 6 for the diagnosis and monitor of pithelial ovarian cancer. Methods Serum levels of KLK6 were analyzed with ELISA in 30 cases of epithelial ovarian carcinoma, 20 cases of benign ovarian tumor and 30 cases of healthy women. In the meantime, serum CAi25 was determined with chemiluminescence. Furthermore, serum levels of KLK6 and CA125 were also detected in 12 case of epithelial ovarian carcinoma with the same methods one week and the 3rd month postoperation of follow-up. Results Serum levels of KLK6 in epithelial ovarian carcinoma was higher than that in benign ovarian tumor and healthy women (P < 0.05). KLK6 also showed positive correlation with clinical stage, cytological grade, pelvic lymph node metastasis, recurrent or dead disease (P < 0. 05). On the contrary, KLK6 showed no significant correlation with pathological types (P >0. 05). After surgery of follow-up, KLK6 and CA125 were significantly decreased in 12 case of epithelial ovarian carcinoma (P < 0. 05). Furthermore, the total sensitivity and specificity of KLK6 in the diagnosis of epithelial ovarian carcinoma was 73.3% and 85.0% respectively, followed by the sensitivity to be 50. 0% and 88. 9% for the diagnosis of stage Ⅰ-Ⅱand Ⅲ-Ⅳ disease. Conclusion Our resuits showed KLK6 may be one of the reliable indexes for the diagnosis and monitor of ovarian cancer.

Objective To study the role of total flavonoids of hippophae rhamnoides in improving contactile function of stretched cardiac myocyte.Method Flavonoids were given to stretched myocytes which were proved their contractile function decline and then myocyte contractile mechanics characteristics and calcium transfer were measured.Result Flavonoids increased myocyte contractility,as indicated by myocyte shortening,velocity of shortening,peak+dL/dt and peak-dL/dt during shortening,in a concentration-dependent manner (r>0.9,P<0.001),and with no relation to the intracellular calcium transfer in the myocytes.Conclusion Flavonoids of the traditional Chinese drug hippophae rhamnoids is effective in improving the contractile function of stretched cardiac myocyte in low dosage.

Objective To investigate the changes in cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormones (ACTH) in term infants with critical illness and to evaluate their functional status.Methods One hundred and fifty term infants who were transferred to the hospital within 72 hours after birth were involved (gestational age ≥ 37 weeks).These term infants were evaluated by neonatal critical illness scores (NCIS) at the time of admission, and they were divided into a mild group and a severe group according to the NCIS scores.Serum cortisol and ACTH concentrations were measured at the time of admission on day 7 and day 14 after birth.Results (1) Within 72 hours after birth, the basic serum cortisol concentration of severe illness infants [(283.5 ± 196.0) μg/L] was significantly higher than that of the infants with mild illness[(175.0 ± 186.5) μg/L], and there was a significant difference (t =-3.830, P =0.000).The basic serum cortisol concentration of the term infants with severe illness was higher than that of the term infants with mild illness,but there was no significant difference[7 d:(94.1 ±41.3) μg/L vs (62.5 ±37.9) μg/L,14 d:(68.6 ±47.7)μg/L vs (50.9 ± 38.4) μg/L, all P ＞ 0.05].(2) Among the infants with critical illness, the basic serum cortisol concentration within 72 hours after birth was significantly higher than those of day 7 and day 14 after birth (t--5.994, 2.848;P =0.000,0.036).(3) Among the mild infants, the basic serum cortisol concentration within 72 hours after birth was significantly higher than those of day 7 and day 14 after birth (t =4.691,3.076;P =0.000,0.037).(4) The basic serum ACTH concentrations had no significant difference between the severe group and the mild group[≤72 h: (101.55±61.52) ng/Lvs (85.54±59.83) ng/L,7 d:(54.91±22.75) ng/Lvs (71.07±20.51) ng/L,14 d: (44.67 ± 28.30) ng/L vs (44.92 ± 24.68) ng/L, all P ＞ 0.05].(5) The serum cortisol and ACTH concentration within 72 hours after birth of the dead infants[(351.9 ± 179.7) μg/L, (215.5 ± 165.9) ng/L] were significantly higher than those of the survivors [(201.4 ± 161.4) μg/L, (83.5 ± 54.0) ng/L], and there were significant differences(t =-2.547,-3.833;P =0.012,0.000).(6) The basic serum cortisol concentration within 72 hours after birth had a negative correlation with NCIS(r =-0.293, P =0.043), pH (r =-0.336, P =0.000) and base excess (BE) (r =-0.261 ,P =0.002);but it had a positive correlation with ACTH concentration within 72 hours after birth (r =0.443 ,P =0.000).The serum basic ACTH within 72 hours after birth had a negative correlation with BE (r =-0.181 ,P =0.031) ,and had positive correlation with the basic serum cortisol concentration within 72 hours and day 7 (r =0.443,0.268;P =0.000,0.048).Conclusions The term infants have the ability to response to external stimuli by regulating cortisol secretion.The basic serum cortisol concentration of term infants is related to the critical illness.The worse the condition is,the higher the base serum cortisol concentration is.

High mobility group box 1 protein(HMGB1) is widely present in eukaryotic nuclei and named for its rapid migration during polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Studies have shown that HMGB1 playes an important role in the development of gene transcription,inflammation,cancer and other diseases. In this paper, the biological characteristics of HMGB1 and its research progress in pediatric diseases are reviewed.

Objective To investigate the early growth and development of extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWI) and very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) through a follow-up study from hospital discharge until 18 months of corrected age.Methods ELBWI and VLBWI who were hospitalized and discharged alive from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Hunan Children's Hospital from January 2013 to June 2014 were recruited.Follow-ups were performed at the corrected age of 40 weeks,as well as at one,three,six,12 and 18 months of corrected age.Several parameters indicating the growth and development of those infants were monitored and assessed.Extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR) was defined as head circumference (HC) or weight ≤ 10th percentile for gestational age at discharge.T-,rank-sum,or Chi-square (or Fisher's exact) test was performed for statistical analysis.Results (1) A total of 285 ELBWI and VLBWI were recruited.Among them,145 (50.9％) were alive at last follow-up,37 (13.0％) died,and 103 (36.1％) were lost.No significant differences in clinical data were observed between the infants who completed the follow-up and those who did not (all P＞0.05).(2) Based on HC and weight,the incidences of EUGR in the 145 infants reached the peak at the corrected age of three months [42.8％ (62/145) and 40.0％ (58/145)],and then declined with increasing age.At 18 months of corrected age,the incidences of EUGR dropped to 31.7％ (46/145) and 14.5％ (21/145),respectively.(3) There were no significant differences in gender,gestational age,birth weight,length of hospital stay,duration of oxygen therapy,and incidences of complications between the infants with and without EUGR (allP＞0.05).(4) The rate of pulmonary surfactant therapy in neonates with EUGR was lower than in those without [27.8％ (15/54) vs 53.8％ (49/91),x2=9.340,P＜0.05].There were no significant differences in mental development index and psycho-motor development index at 12 and 18 months of corrected age between the neonates with and without EUGR (all P＞0.05).Neither HC nor weight at the corrected age of 18 months showed significant differences between the two groups (both P＞0.05).(5) At 18 months of corrected age,31.7％ (46/145) of the infants had their HC ≤ 10th percentile,and 14.5％ (21/145) had their weight ≤ 10th percentile.Infants with HC ≤ 10th percentile were at higher risk of abnormal neurodevelopment than those with HC ＞10th percentile [67.4％ (31/45) vs 40.4％ (40/99),X=9.154].Infants with either HC or weight ≤ 10th percentile had higher risk of abnormal neurodevelopment that those with both HC and weight ＞10th percentile [65.5％ (36/55) vs 38.9％ (35/90),x2=9.641] (both P＞0.05).Conclusions ELBWI/VLBWI are at high risk of growth retardation.Incidence of growth restriction declines with age.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of intravenous infusion of lidocaine on the efficacy of conventional treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.Methods:Forty-four patients with rheumatoid arthritis of either sex, aged 32-85 yr, weighing 40-76 kg, who were admitted to the Department of Pain and Nephrology in our hospital from September 2019 to September 2020, were divided into 2 groups ( n=22 each) according to the random number table method: control group (C group) and lidocaine group (L group). Both groups received conventional treatment.When visual analogue scale (VAS) score ≥5, glucocorticoid (GC) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were taken orally to maintain the VAS score ≤4.In group L, 0.2% lidocaine hydrochloride injection 3 mg/kg (diluted with 0.9% sodium chloride injection 500 ml) was intravenously infused at a rate of 25 ml/h for 2 h, once a day, for 5 consecutive days, based on the conventional treatment.The VAS score, 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28 score), simplified disease activity index score (SDAI score), consumption of GC and NSAIDs and adverse reactions were recorded before treatment (T 1) and at 1, 4 and 8 weeks after treatment (T 2-4). The temperature of the pain area of the affected joint was evaluated through infrared thermal imaging at T 1 and T 2. Results:Compared with the baseline at T 1, VAS score, DAS28 score and SDAI score were significantly decreased at each time point, and the temperature of the pain area of the affected joint at T 2 was decreased in the two groups ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in VAS score, DAS28 score and SDAI score at each time point between two groups ( P>0.05). Compared with group C, the consumption of GC and NSAIDs was significantly decreased, and the temperature of the pain area of the dorsum of both hands and the dorsum of right foot at T 2 and incidence of adverse reactions were decreased in group L ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Intravenous infusion of lidocaine can optimize the efficacy of conventional treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective:To investigate the clinical practice of Chinese respiratory therapists (RTs) participating in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and summarize the experience and role of RTs in the treatment of pandemic infectious diseases.Methods:A self-designed questionnaire was used to investigate the RTs who treated COVID-19 patients in 31 provinces, cities and autonomous regions in China. The survey questionnaire included the basic work of RTs, the specific work of the treatment for COVID-19 patients and problems encountered at work.Results:A total of 126 questionnaires were issued and 40 valid questionnaires were collected from RTs who treated COVID-19 patients at 22 COVID-19 designated hospitals in 8 provinces and municipalities. This included 7 hospitals in Wuhan, the epicenter of the epidemic. In their medical team, RTs accounted for 2.9% (1.5%, 6.7%) of medical staff, the working experience of the RTs was about (6.2±5.4) years, the ratio of RTs to beds was about 1∶11 (1∶5, 1∶26), and 85.0% (34/40) of RTs were transferred from other hospitals. 97.5% (39/40) of RTs were involved in formulating individual respiratory care strategies in their medical teams, and they were all involved in the evaluation of respiratory care and decision-making as well as the early identification of deterioration of respiratory function. All RTs [100% (40/40)] indicated that they would actively monitor patients' respiratory status, increase the means and frequency of the monitoring, implement standardized oxygen therapy, prevent ventilator-associated lung injury (VALI), and standardize the management of artificial airway. However, less than 50% of RTs had carried out stress and strain, transpulmonary pressure, partial pressure of end-tidal carbon dioxide (PetCO 2), end-expiratory lung volume, electrical impedance tomography (EIT) and other respiratory function monitoring. 85% of RTs conducted training and education related to respiratory care and formulated relevant standard operating procedures for their medical teams. More than 90% of RTs led the implementation of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy (HFNC), pulmonary protective mechanical ventilation, prone ventilation, pulmonary rehabilitation, airway management, transfer of critical patients, and other respiratory treatment. Conclusions:RTs performed their professional role fully in the assessment, decision-making, and clinical practice in the treatment of COVID-19 patients. However, the manpower shortage of RTs is extremely prominent, the practical experience has provided the basis for the future treatment of infectious respiratory diseases and effectively promoted the development of respiratory care in China.

Objective:To evaluate the impacts of tissue heterogeneity on dose calculation of cervical brachytherapy by comparing the doses calculated by two clinically used dose calculation method and the CT image-based Monte Carlo (MC) method.Methods:This study retrospectively selected 11 patients with cervical cancer treated with 3D brachytherapy in Anhui Provincial Cancer Hospital from January 2018 to June 2020. The dose distribution of each plan was calculated via three methods, dose calculation method described in American Association of Physicist in Medicine(AAPM) Task Group No. 43 Report (TG43-BT), Acuros BV(BV-BT) used to perform accurate dose calculations in high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy with phantom heterogeneity, and CT image-based EGSnrc tool kit used to perform Monte Carlosimulation (MC-BT). The dose volumes( V3 Gy, V6 Gy, V9 Gy, and V12 Gy), target volume doses( D98, D90, D50), D2 cm 3 of organs at risk (OARs) calculated by the three methods were compared. Results:The HRCTV D90obtained by TG43-BT was 6.274 Gy, which was even overestimated by around 5% compared to the result calculated by MC-BT. Meanwhile, TG43-BT overestimated the dose volumesand the target volume doses compared to MC-BT.Except for D50 and V12 Gy, the differences between the doses to tumor calculated by BV-BT and MC-BT were not statistically significant( P>0.05). There was also no significant statistical difference between the D2 cm 3 of rectum, small intestine, and sigmoid calculated by BV-BT and MC-BT ( P>0.05). In contrast, the dose to D2 cm 3 of bladder determined by MC-BT was 4.609 Gy, which was notably higher than those deter mined by TG43-BT and BV-BT. Conclusions:TG43-BT overestimated the doses to tumor targets and most OARs since the effects of tissue heterogeneity were not taken into consideration. BV-BT performed efficient calculation and most of the dose distributionin target volume and OARs obtained by BV-BT were consistent with that calculated by MC-BT. Nevertheless, low accuracy occurred for the regions near the sources and full bladder, which warrants further caution in clinical evaluation.

Objective:To investigate the impacts of the composition and physical density of tissue on the dose distribution of implanted 125I seeds, in order to provide references for the clinical dose calculation and assessment of implanted radioactive particles. Methods:The OncoSeed 6711 physical model of 125I seeds was established using thes of twareegs_brachy and was validated through the calculation of dose rate constant and the radial dose function [ g( r)] in water. Then, based on the element composition and physical density of different types of tissue, the g( r) and absorbed dose ratein water, prostate, breast, muscle, and bone were calculated. Results:The calculated dose rate constant (0.950 cGy·h -1·U -1) and g( r)in water approached the values in related literature. The absorbed dose in bone was 6.042 times than that in water at a distance of 0.05 cm from the implanted source. The difference between the absorbed doses in breast and water was more than 10% at a distance of less than 1.7 cm from the implanted source. The difference between the absorbed doses in prostate/muscle and water was less than 5% at the same radial location. Conclusions:The dose distribution of 125I seeds in some types of human tissue is significantly different from that in water, which should be carefully considered in clinical dose calculation.

Objective: The inhibition function on EB virus positive tumors with rBCG (recombinant BCG) was researched. Methods: After cancer models of EB virus positive tumor cells(GT39)were established in C57BL/6 mice, the mice survival conditions, tumor weight and tumor formation time were analyzed, flow cytometry was used to research the proliferation of CD4⁺ T. Inhibition of rBCG to cancer was researched, HE staining of the mice tumor tissue was used to detect and analyze lymphocyte infiltration. Single factor analysis method of variance (One-way ANOVA) was processed for rBCG′s inhibition evaluation by SPSS 11.0 statistical software. Results: Compared with the control group, rBCG group significantly slowed tumor growth, tumor formation time was delayed, rBCG significantly prolonged survival time of the mice. Conclusions rBCG had inhibition to EB virus positive tumors in mice.